Last call for gatecrashers

Sven-Goran Eriksson will use David Platt's sudden rise to fame 12 years ago as an example to his young hopefuls when England's World Cup preparations begin in earnest against Holland.

Platt's experience in gatecrashing Bobby Robson's 1990 squad assumes particular relevance tonight when Eriksson plans to give some of England's fringe players a first and, perhaps, last throw of the dice in this World Cup year.

International novices Joe Cole, Ledley King, Richard Wright, Michael Ricketts and Wayne Bridge are among those hoping to secure a place in Eriksson's 23-man squad for South Korea and Japan.

For the most part, the squad is settled in Eriksson's mind, although the Swedish coach said: "The door won't be shut on anyone. It will stay open at least until the Premiership season ends but it's obvious that the closer you get to the World Cup, the less chance you have to experiment."

As a student of the English game, he knows how late Platt left it before breaking into Robson's World Cup squad. The former Arsenal and England captain had made only two substitute appearances when Robson gave him his first start against Brazil in March 1990.

Three months later he scored that spectacular overhead kick against Belgium in Bologna, scored again against Cameroon in Naples five days later and set in motion a 62-cap England career.

During the course of his six years as an England regular Platt played for Eriksson at Sampdoria and now, as the Under-21 coach, is responsible for preparing players like King and Cole for the senior side.

He is not alone in arriving late and unheralded on the scene. England's World Cup history is littered with gatecrashers who went on to do rather well, the most recent example being Michael Owen.

Glenn Hoddle gave the teenage Liverpool striker his chance in an England shirt against Chile in February 1998. Four months later he was a world superstar, having scored that sensational goal against Argentina in France.

Peter Beardsley and Steve Hodge were called to the colours by Robson early in 1986. Beardsley made his debut against Egypt that February and, a month later, Hodge made his debut against the USSR. Both featured in the World Cup in Mexico that summer.

But England's two most famous World Cup latecomers were West Ham pair Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters. Hurst made his debut in February 1966, Peters in May, and between them they scored all the goals in the 4-2 win over West Germany in the World Cup Final at Wembley.

With only two warm-up matches remaining - against Italy and Paraguay - before England set off for the Far East, Eriksson's young lions realise the importance of playing a Dutch side still smarting from their failure to qualify for the World Cup finals.

"It can be tough for young players coming in for the first time but they deserve the chance," Eriksson said. "You pick them to see if they can handle the situation. It's a good experience for them just to train with the national team."

Eriksson is likely to start with Southampton's 21-yearold left-back Bridge and Bolton's in-form goalscorer Ricketts and introduce West Ham's Cole and Tottenham's King at a later stage.

At various times yesterday Eriksson referred to them as " players for the future" although Cole must have a good chance of a place in the World Cup 23.

"He's a very special player and I've been impressed with him in central midfield this season," the England coach said. "At the moment this looks his best position."

Apart from checking on the potential of individuals Eriksson may also use the game in Amsterdam to look at tactical options other than his favoured 4-4-2. It is essential that England are able to improvise when necessary. That has, perhaps, been Eriksson's one omission.

After Old Trafford draws against Greece and Sweden nothing would make him happier on Valentine's Day than confirmation that, on the anniversary of his first game in charge, England have the passion and the personnel to make an impression at the World Cup.